There are moments in life, when the heart is so full of emotion That if by chance it be shaken, or into its depths like a pebble Drops some careless word, it overflows, and its secret, Spilt on the ground like water, can never be gathered together. (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, poet)

Water – it acts as a border and an obstacle

Water – it dissolves, reflects, refracts, and transports

Water – it is the identifier of the universal solvent and The Blue Planet

Water – a coolant in industrial processes and an energy source

The sound of water escaping from mill dams, etc., willows, old rotten planks, slimy posts, and brickwork, I love such things. (John Constable, artist)

Water – for drinking, washing, shaving, bathing, cleaning, cooking, irrigating, and growing our food as well as many, many other things

Water – to transport ships, boats, and ferries with people, supplies, and goods

In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time. (Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance Man)

97 percent of Earth’s water is salt water and only three percent is freshwater; slightly over two thirds of freshwater is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The remaining unfrozen freshwater is found mainly as groundwater, with only a small fraction of freshwater’s presence being above ground or in the air.

Fresh water is a renewable resource, yet the world’s supply of groundwater is steadily decreasing, with depletion occurring most prominently in Asia and North America, although it is still unclear how much natural renewal balances this usage, and whether ecosystems are threatened.

The human brain now holds the key to our future. We have to recall the image of the planet from outer space: a single entity in which air, water, and continents are interconnected. That is our home. (David Suzuki, Canadian scientist)

Special thanks to Robin (MaidinSun Photography) for providing the photographs. I encourage readers to visit her at Breezes at Dawn. All photos are copyrighted by MaidinSun Photography.

I met Robin through you originally Frank 🙂 I’ve often thought her photos featuring water are especially wonderful – something magical seems to happen between Robin, water and camera – and here again it is a lovely collaboration between the two of you. Thank you both ❤

Marc,
Thank you. Water impacts us in so many ways, so that is one of the factors that drove my words. I wanted a few more, so decided to find several quotes – and whoa – there were many from which to pick.

Oh, wonderful wonderful post and beautiful collaboration!!!! I’ve been following and admiring Robin’s photography for quite some time now and to see you both here… sigh! Thank you both!!!!! …and Frank: Yamas! 😉

And the human body is 50-65% water. Thank you, Frank. I always enjoy collaborating with you. Your prose and quotes are wonderful. I’m glad I didn’t read it until now, and let you interpret which photos would fit best. You put word and photos together so well. 🙂

Robin,
Hooray … my collaborator has arrived. 🙂 I’d forgotten that you didn’t see the prose, then just send me your images. Then again, you already know that water impacts us in so many ways. I admit that deciding which pictures to use and where to place them was a challenge, but one that I enjoyed. Thanks again for being a wonderful collaborator!

I have always thought it surprising that an abundance of water is produced by the violent explosion of a star, a nova. Seems like the hydrogen/oxygen would vanish into more complex molecules. Water is of course vital to all life as we know it.

Gull,
Thanks for the kind words. This is my 11th (I think) collaboration, and not the first with Robin. She’s great to work with and a wonderful photographer. The other collaborations were similar (well, different topics). Keep smiling!

Great piece – love the words and the photographs are beautiful. I like this quote from Margaret Atwood: “Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”